The parents of 16-year-old US sailor Abby Sunderland have defended her solo round-the-world attempt after her successful rescue by a French fishing boat.

The sailor is on her way to the French island La Reunion after she was picked up 2,000 nautical miles off the West Australian coast on Saturday.

Sunderland's parents have responded to criticisms that they should be held accountable because of their daughter's age and that her yacht was not adequate for her round-the-world effort.

Her father Laurence says French yachtwoman Isabelle Autissier did not quit the sport after she suffered a similar fate a decade ago.

"Isabelle Autissier had a similar incident where she did lose her keel in the Indian Ocean and needed rescuing - she was I think at the time around 30, 35," he said.

"She's considered one of the world's best sailors. Should we say Abby can't sail again because she lost her keel?"

Mr Sunderland, a boat builder, says "the experts that were involved in putting [her boat] Wild Eyes together were top rate - you wouldn't find better anywhere else."

He says Abby also had expert preparation.

Second attempt

Abby Sunderland has already voiced her determination to set sail around the globe again.

"I'm definitely going to sail around the world again or really give it another try," she said.

However she does not know when her next solo voyage attempt will be.

Her parents say she is free to have another attempt if she really wants to.

"Abigail's passion was to do a solo non-stop circumnavigation and she's obviously disappointed that she was unsuccessful with that," Mr Sunderland said.

"She gave it her best shot, following her dream."

Her mother added: "I don't think her goal initially was ever to break a record, her goal was to be out there. She likes being out there alone at sea."

Her parents have also thanked the rescuers who "acted as if she was their own kid".

'Pouncing on bad news'

Sunderland wrote on her blog from the French boat, defending herself from accusations she was unprepared and too young for the journey.

"Within a few minutes of being on board the fishing boat, I was already getting calls from the press," she wrote.

"I don't know how they got the number but it seems everybody is eager to pounce on my story now that something bad has happened.

"There are plenty of things people can think of to blame for my situation; my age, the time of year and many more. The truth is, I was in a storm and you don't sail through the Indian Ocean without getting in at least one storm.

"As for age, since when does age create gigantic waves and storms?"

Meanwhile, Federal Transport Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed the Government will cover some of the costs of rescuing the teenager.

"The Australian taxpayer of course at the end of the day makes a contribution," he told Channel Ten.

"We have to put this in some context: if there was an Australian lost at sea we would want the international laws on maritime to kick in."